Tweet
MINSK GROUP TO BE INSTRUMENTAL FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE TALKS
Trend
Sept 15 2011
Azerbaijan
U.S. , Washington, Sept. 15 /Trend special corr. M.Assenova/
The United States will continue working through the Minsk Group to
achieve an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on peace talks
on Nagorno-Karabakh, said Justin Friedman, Director of the Office
of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts at the U.S. Department
of State. He was speaking at a conference dedicated to 20 years of
independence in the South Caucasus, which was held by the Center for
Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. The conference
focused on lessons learned from the tumultuous independence of the
region and on its uncertain future.
Mr. Freedman said the U.S. will also continue supporting the
reconciliation process between Armenia and Turkey, and Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity through the Geneva Talks on
Abhazia and South Ossetia.
The U.S. administration has pursued advancing sovereignty of all
three countries in the South Caucasus so that they can pursue five
interlocking goals: live in peace, integrate into geopolitical and
economic groupings of their own choosing, develop their economic
potential, build the infrastructure of democratic governance, and
protect the freedom and personal liberties of their citizens.
According to Mr. Friedman, the context of the region is complex
with the Soviet legacy of instilled divisions along ethnic lines
and the "frozen conflict" landscape of today that has implications
for sovereignty of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region is an
intersection of three powers - Russia, Turkey and Iran - which have
distinct and conflicting interests in the South Caucasus.
He noted some of the successes in the region such as the remarkable
post-Rose Revolution transformation of Georgia from a corrupt state
toward transparent governance and rule of law. In Azerbaijan, the
construction of BTC and SCP led to economic independence to support
political independence. Armenia has also made some steps toward
democracy and market economy despite its partial isolation. Further
support for economic development and democratic institutions will
allow the South Caucasus countries to become more stable and eventually
resolve their most pressing security problems.
"The best way forward for the South Caucasus may be to continue
supporting Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in their efforts toward
Western economic and political systems, but this will be a long
process with some hurdles to overcome," Mr. Friedman said.
Trend
Sept 15 2011
Azerbaijan
U.S. , Washington, Sept. 15 /Trend special corr. M.Assenova/
The United States will continue working through the Minsk Group to
achieve an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on peace talks
on Nagorno-Karabakh, said Justin Friedman, Director of the Office
of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts at the U.S. Department
of State. He was speaking at a conference dedicated to 20 years of
independence in the South Caucasus, which was held by the Center for
Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. The conference
focused on lessons learned from the tumultuous independence of the
region and on its uncertain future.
Mr. Freedman said the U.S. will also continue supporting the
reconciliation process between Armenia and Turkey, and Georgia's
sovereignty and territorial integrity through the Geneva Talks on
Abhazia and South Ossetia.
The U.S. administration has pursued advancing sovereignty of all
three countries in the South Caucasus so that they can pursue five
interlocking goals: live in peace, integrate into geopolitical and
economic groupings of their own choosing, develop their economic
potential, build the infrastructure of democratic governance, and
protect the freedom and personal liberties of their citizens.
According to Mr. Friedman, the context of the region is complex
with the Soviet legacy of instilled divisions along ethnic lines
and the "frozen conflict" landscape of today that has implications
for sovereignty of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The region is an
intersection of three powers - Russia, Turkey and Iran - which have
distinct and conflicting interests in the South Caucasus.
He noted some of the successes in the region such as the remarkable
post-Rose Revolution transformation of Georgia from a corrupt state
toward transparent governance and rule of law. In Azerbaijan, the
construction of BTC and SCP led to economic independence to support
political independence. Armenia has also made some steps toward
democracy and market economy despite its partial isolation. Further
support for economic development and democratic institutions will
allow the South Caucasus countries to become more stable and eventually
resolve their most pressing security problems.
"The best way forward for the South Caucasus may be to continue
supporting Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in their efforts toward
Western economic and political systems, but this will be a long
process with some hurdles to overcome," Mr. Friedman said.